SIR GARNET WOLSELEY ON THE MILITARY STRENGTH OF FRANCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 69, 21 March 1878, Page 4

SIR GARNET WOLSELEY ON THE MILITARY STRENGTH OF FRANCE.

The Observer considers in view of ihe possible complications which may arise out of the final settlement of the Eastern Question, that the article upon the French army, contributed by Sir G. Wolseley to the nineteenth century, posseses a peculiar interest. If Franco is not in a position lo make war, she is, at least, in Sir Garnet's opinion, strong enough to resist an attack. Nothing in her history has been more remarkable than the determined energy and unity which have marked, during the past seven years, her eoorts for the reorganisation of her army. It is no secret that the Prussian system has been cloßely followed, with tbe result that France is now at least three times as etrong as she was when Napoleon declared war in 1870, The regular army of France which might be available at the present moment for defensive purposes may, according to the reviewer, be taken at 1,200,000 men, the strength of the active army being 719,000, with a reserve amounting to half a million regularly trained soldiers. Iv some ten years time Sir Garnet Wolseley estimates that France will have an army of 2,471,000 men, but already she has a force which cannot be easily broken up. The Pall Mall Gazette (December 28) says: — Sir Garnet Wolseley reminds us that in the changes and chances of European politics the day may come when an alliance of the Western powers would be the only barrier against an aggression as formidable as that of the Great Nepoleon. " Germany," he Bays "is our natural ally as long as she remains simply a mighty military Power ; should she however, take poeseßsion of Holland and its colonies her only object can be to rival us on the seas." It would be manifestly our interest, as well as our duty to make a stand for the independence of Holland, and it would be no less the duty and the interest of France. An Anglo-French alliance would, in that case, become a political necessity for both countries, and as Sir Garnet Wolseley says, " Holland, Belgium, England and France allied together would form a league that even proud Germany would feel wae too powerful for her to face." This is a conjecture that goes far beyond the limits of immediate probabilities; Ibut were it fo bo realised to - morrow, its poseibility wonld bo duo chiefly to tha reorganization of the French array.